Petitions calls for elections

Two petitions have been submitted to the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies calling for re-elections; however, both have yet to be published for signature.

27.06.2015

(CS/ml) Two petitions have been submitted to the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies calling for re-elections; however, both have yet to be published for signature.

Following the triple “no” vote in the June 7 referendum on foreigner voting rights, lowering voting age and limiting ministerial mandates, two petitions were handed in calling for early elections.

The petitions have already been reviewed by the petitions committee, which greenlighted their publication. However, before they can be opened for signature, the presidents' conference also needs to give its thumbs up.

The presidents' conference is composed of the heads of faction of the leading parties in parliament – Claude Wiseler (CSV), Eugène Berger (DP), Alex Bodry (LSAP) and Viviane Loschetter (déi Grénk) – as well as president of the Chamber Mars Di Bartolomeo.

The group has said it needs more time to assess whether the petitions meet the criteria. These foresee that submitted petitions needs to be of general interest and respect basic ethic principles.

One petition calls for a referendum to decide whether the public would be in favour of elections. The second on the other hand calls for the government to resign and call parliamentary elections.

A decision on whether the petitions will be published online is expected next week.

Under the public petitions process, petitions which gather over 4,500 signatures will be forwarded for a debate in parliament. They do not, however, force deputies or the government to take action on the issue up for debate. For example, a petition which called for the tram project to be stopped, while discussed by MPs, did not prevent the bill from reaching a positive vote in parliament.

Anyone aged 15 or over with a Luxembourg social security number can file a petition. The same rules apply for signing a petition.